What are the methods used by the farmers organisation to influence the policy-makers in India and how effective are these methods?

Farmers’ organisations are seen as a useful organisational mechanism/Pressure Group for mobilising farmers’ collective self-help action aimed at improving their own economic and social situation and that of their communities. 

Methods Employed:

1. Lobbying: So that Policy is favourable. E.g.: Favourable Administered State Price for sugarcane and Protest against GM Crops by Bhartiya Kisan Union.

2. Activism: All India Kisan Sangharsh Coordination Committee has drafted Bills (Farmers’ freedom from Debt Bill and guaranteed Fair and remunerative prices bill).

3. Protest: For Loan waiver, Higher MSP, Free electricity.

4. Supporting parties in election: By Supporting the candidate in garnering vote

5. Use of media: A 2015 study by Meredith Agrimedia and a 2016 Farm Futures survey found that Facebook is the most popular social media platform used by farmers, followed by YouTube, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest and Instagram. 

Farmers’ organisations face challenges like:

1. Limited Territorial reach.

2. Interplay of Caste Factor.

3. Tool of Vote bank politics

4. Clashes within the group: All India kisan sangharsh coordination committee is critical of the strike called by Bhartiya Kishan Mahasangh. 

 Sccess of these methods:

1. Loan waivers announced by the governments in MP, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh.

2. Abolition of Zamindari system, ceiling of land holdings.

3. Initiatives like PM KISAN: To supplement the financial needs of the Small and Marginal Farmers.

However, Farmer organisations can be said to be successful in their methods if they succeed in bringing structural changes in agriculture rather than populist measures, thus these organisations should demand for what Swaminathan committee has proposed.